Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is living her best life this summer, balancing back-to-back performances, major collaborations, and unforgettable milestones. In a candid interview with Rebecca Judd, the “Rush” hitmaker gave fans a glimpse into her world of music, fun, and iconic cosigns.
Speaking about how she spends her downtime on tour, Ayra revealed it’s all about good vibes with her team. “It’s a lot of partying. There’s a lot of laughing. There’s a lot of just doing crazy stuff with my team and my friends,” she said, adding that she often makes sure the drinks and energy are set before she even arrives at the club.
One of her most surreal experiences came while working with Destiny’s Child legend Kelly Rowland on the remix of “Bloody Samaritan.” Ayra admitted she was overwhelmed at first. “I didn’t even know how to act. I was just screaming in voice notes, saying ‘Thank you, thank you.’ But she was so amazing. She made me realize so much about music. I remember being tired on set and she told me, ‘Girl, really? You’re going to have to work, so enjoy it.’ That stuck with me,” Ayra recalled.
The singer also reflected on her big win at the 2024 BET Awards, describing the moment as “crazy” while admitting she often has delayed reactions to her achievements.
Her career has also taken her to the biggest stages in the world, including opening for Coldplay. Ayra revealed her close bond with frontman Chris Martin, saying, “That’s my G. I don’t play about Chris.” The admiration is mutual, with Martin once declaring on her Instagram that Ayra is destined to be one of the biggest pop stars globally—a cosign that still amazes her.
When it comes to her own music, Ayra is riding high with her viral single “Hot Body.” She explained its inspiration simply: “Everything in the song is what I said. There’s no deeper meaning. It’s just hot bodied. Every time you look hot, you have to use ‘Hot Body.’”
Looking ahead, the singer has her eyes on dream collaborations with Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and fellow Afrobeats star Rema, describing them as her “non-negotiables.” She also teased her admiration for curveball collaborators like American singer Khamari.
As for her current sound, Ayra says she’s letting creativity lead the way. “I don’t even know what I’m doing. I’m just enjoying myself. Everything is making sense though—I’m allowing it to fall into place,” she shared, citing Rihanna’s “Desperado” and Frank Ocean’s Nostalgia, Ultra as inspirations for her new era.
With her mix of youthful energy, global recognition, and relentless ambition, Ayra Starr continues to prove why she’s one of the brightest stars shaping Afrobeats on the world stage.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
